Peterborough Greyhound Stadium
# Peterborough Greyhound Stadium

Peterborough Greyhound Stadium was a greyhound racing track located in Fengate, less than a mile from the centre of Peterborough, England.

Racing at the stadium took place every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night with racing starting at 7:30 pm.

On Tuesday 19 May 2020, the stadium announced that it would cease trading with immediate effect after 75 years.

## Origins and opening

The Liberty of Peterborough was an historic area comprising around thirty parishes, and it was in 1931 that the Peterborough Racing Club opened their new greyhound track within the Liberty. The venue was described as being off Star Road which is misleading because although this is in the Fengate area the actual track was off the Fengate Road. The plot of land chosen for the track was in south-east Fengate directly north of Peterborough Corporation sewage pumping station. The opening night was on Saturday 4 April 1931, consisting of twelve races. The managing director was G Hooke and organised racing was held every Monday and Saturday which consisted mainly of greyhounds but also whippet races.

The first ever winner was a greyhound called 'Dewdrop'. The second meeting on Monday 6 April was recorded as being a record crowd for the area with 400 being present. Racing continued up until the war with a maximum capacity of 700 being able to attend the track. It is also reported that facilities were very basic with the hare still being moved around the track by the power of two men cycling.

## History

After the war there was a major milestone for the track when Reg Perkins from a farming and transport business family and George Ellingworth a garage owner purchased the track in 1945 and quickly began to improve facilities. The purchase came at the right time because greyhound racing hit its peak in 1946 and it is known that one year later in 1947 the track had a totalisator turnover of £49,719. By this time it was also known as the Peterborough Sports Stadium and Reg Perkins took sole control several years later following the death of George Ellingworth.

The racing continued independent of the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) but remained popular with the local population and by the sixties the stadium offered licensed bars and refreshments, photo finish apparatus and on course bookmakers and an 'Outside Sumner' hare. The immediate area also underwent major changes with industrial units appearing with frequent regularity and a road called First Drove serving as the entrance to the stadium.

In 1977 Reg Perkins retired leaving the day-to-day management to his sons Rex and David with racing on Tuesday and Saturday evenings at 7.15pm. Track distances at this time were 275, 475 & 675 yards and there were now nine track bookmakers. The second major milestone arrived in 1982 following the decision of the management to join the NGRC permit scheme that was in operation at the time. This allowed smaller tracks to run under NGRC rules at reduced rates and was the catalyst for Peterborough to improve in stature. In 1983 the Peterborough Derby was inaugurated and soon became a very popular event at the track. The stadium reputation began to grow and Rex Perkins was elected the Mayor of Peterborough from 1987 and with his wife Margaret raised thousands of pounds for charities.

## Renovation

In 1988 grand plans were unveiled by local architects T. E. Titman Associates for a new grandstand and restaurant and following the completion of the half a million pounds project. The 'Raceview Restaurant' could seat 200 with a further 600 seats available on the glass fronted grandstand.

## Recent history

John 'Ginger' McGee Sr. joined the track and the Irishman won Greyhound Trainer of the Year in 1991 whilst attached to Peterborough. In 1998 Racing Manager Mike Middle left the track to assist with a new track at Wisbech Greyhound Stadium and was replaced by Con Baker. On 24 March 1999 the stadium suffered severe damage when a fire spread from an adjoining warehouse and destroyed two bars, a tote booth and a 250-person seating area. The damage resulted in a six-month closure but the management remained positive and rebuilt and refurbished, re-opening on the 21 September 1999.

2003 was a pivotal year for the track because Rex Perkins died after a long illness and his son Richard and nephew Rob dedicated a new £3 million extension to his name. The raceview seating area could now hold 1,000 spectators and corporate boxes were also added. Peterborough dropped Tuesday night racing in 2008 and was rewarded with a Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Service (BAGS) contract in 2012. At the end of 2014 the track became BAGS national champions after defeating five other tracks in the final at Nottingham Greyhound Stadium.

In 2018 the stadium signed a deal with ARC to race every Wednesday evening.

## Closure

The track closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and when racing returned (18 May) following the lock-down Peterborough announced that they would not be re-opening until they sought further clarification from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain. The concerns over the financial implication of racing behind closed doors was evident and the following day (20 May) the Perkins family announced the permanent closure of the track.

## Competitions

### Peterborough Derby

| Year | Winner | Breeding | Trainer | Time | SP | Notes |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1983 | Dutch Jet | Indian Joe – Flying Socks | Jean Talmage (Rye House) | 26.11 | 10-1 | |
| 1984 | Decoy Moon | Decoy Sovereign – Tibbys Girl | Pam Cobbold (Private) | 25.92 | 4-1 | |
| 1985 | Decoy Tulip | Decoy Sovereign – Tibbys Girl | Pam Cobbold (Private) | 26.12 | 14-1 | |
| 1986 | Stylish Start | Yellow Band – Flying Chick | Jean Talmage (Private) | 26.28 | 5-2f | |
| 1987 | Quick Judgement | Blushing Spy - Marsena | Linda Pruhs - Peterborough | 26.61 | 7-1 | |
| 1988 | Lissadell Tiger | Bold Work –Cleonas Style | Ernie Gaskin Sr. (Private) | 25.80 | 4-6f | |
| 1989 | Sky Jack | Kyle Jack – Kingdom Flower | David Pruhs - Peterborough | 26.62 | 6-1 | |
| 1990 | Bolt Home | Murlens Slippy – Supreme Peg | Ernie Gaskin Sr. (Private) | 26.02 | 5-1 | |
| 1991 | Chief Canary | Easy And Slow – Champagne Lady | Kim Marlow (Milton Keynes) | 25.77 | 5-2 | |
| 1992 | Pineapple Magic | I'm Slippy – Michigan Moira | Michael Compton (Private) | 25.80 | 4-5f | |
| 1993 | Gentle Warning | Glen Park Dancer – Gentle Sarah | John McGee Sr. (Reading) | 25.76 | 3-1 | |
| 1994 | Highway Leader | Leaders Best – Highway Mystery | Michael Bacon (Perry Barr) | 25.47 | 7-4jf | |
| 1995 | Gold Buster | Daleys Gold – Spot The Blue | Nigel Saunders (Belle Vue) | 25.81 | 5-1 | |
| 1996 | Dynamic Fair | Fair Boot – Seventh Dynamic | Patsy Byrne -(Wimbledon) | 25.46 | 6-1 | |
| 1997 | Dynamic Fair | Fair Boot – Seventh Dynamic | Patsy Byrne (Wimbledon) | 25.45 | 7-2 | |
| 1998 | Spoonbill Snowey | Right Wish – Clohast Wish | Michael Bacon (Perry Barr) | 25.20 | 4-6f | |
| 2000 | Reactabond Rebel | Some Picture – Droopys Larraine | Paul Young (Romford) | 25.78 | 11-10f | |
| 2001 | Kinda Magic | Deep Decision - Enchantment | Linda Jones (Walthamstow) | 25.52 | 3-1 | |
| 2002 | Letter Slippy | Shanless Slippy – Slick City | Patsy Byrne (Wimbledon) | 25.57 | 2-1 | |
| 2003 | Tims Crow | Lenson Lad – Churchtown Spice | Peter Rich (Romford) | 25.59 | 4-5f | |
| 2004 | Run On Trooper | Split the Bill – Oddsonlookon | Mick Mavrias (Sittingbourne) | 25.73 | 6-1 | |
| 2005 | Fear No One | Toms The Best – Step And Go | Mark Wallis (Walthamstow) | 25.41 | 5-4f | |
| 2006 | Too Risky | Daves Mentor – Micks Bozz Lady | Mick Puzey (Walthamstow) | 25.66 | 6-4 | |
| 2007 | Westmead Prince | Droopys Kewell – Mega Delight | Nick Savva (Private) | 25.29 | 4-5f | |
| 2008 | Me Buddy | Ballymac Maeve – Ballymac Peg | Matt Dartnall (Reading) | 25.71 | 2-1f | |
| 2009 | Salisman | Droopys Agassi – Droopys Natasha | Julie Calvert (Sunderland) | 25.17 | 6-1 | |
| 2010 | Lainedans Flyer | Droopys Vieri – Westmead Swift | Paul Young (Romford) | 25.26 | 11-2 | |
| 2011 | Mountjoy Rock | Black Shaw – Noelles Amarillo | Elaine Parker (Sheffield) | 24.88 | 9-2 | Track record |
| 2012 | Lil Risky | Ballymac Maeve-Risk The Town | Mark Wallis (Yarmouth) | 24.99 | 7-4f | |
| 2013 | Frisby Barney | Head Bound – Airport Boss | David Pruhs - Peterborough | 25.69 | 1-2f | Track record |
| 2017 | Hiya Butt | Hondo Black - Hather for Pat | Hayley Keightley (Private) | 25.77 | 1-2f | |

(1983-2012 420 metres), (2013-2017 435 metres), (2014-16 & 2018 not held)

### Peterborough Puppy Derby

| Year | Winner | Breeding | Trainer | Time | SP |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1992 | Bagshot Boozer | I'm Slippy – Pilgrims Joy | | 25.90 | |
| 1993 | Sure Fantasy | Phantom Flash – Lively Spark | | 25.83 | |
| 1994 | Pams Silver | Skelligs Tiger – Cosy And Warm | | 25.58 | |
| 1995 | Slick Mick | Staplers Jo - Aughaderney Mona | | 25.74 | |
| 1996 | Spring Gamble | Slaneyside Hare – Spring Season | | 25.41 | |
| 1997 | Lenson Billy | Slaneyside Hare – Ballydaly Flyer | Norah McEllistrim (Wimbledon) | 25.41 | 7-2 |
| 1998 | Del Piero | Droopys Sandy – Audi Turbo | Linda Mullins (Walthamstow) | 25.60 | 4-5f |
| 2000 | Reactabond Rebel | Some Picture – Droopys Larraine | Paul Young (Romford) | 25.49 | 11-10f |
| 2001 | Reactabond Ace | El Premier – Droopys Kylie | Paul Young (Romford) | 25.72 | 6-1 |
| 2002 | Bocelli | Chart King – Minnies Oxana | Dinky Luckhurst (Crayford) | 25.41 | 13-2 |
| 2003 | Slinky | Droopys Merson – Kylies Sonia | Paul Young (Romford) | 25.89 | 6-1 |
| 2004 | Fire Height Dan | Carlton Bale – September Mist | Mick Puzey (Walthamstow) | 25.46 | 4-5f |
| 2005 | Fear No One | Toms The Best – Step and Go | Mark Wallis (Walthamstow) | 25.41 | 5-4f |
| 2006 | Too Risky | Daves Mentor – Micks Bozz Lady | Mick Puzey (Walthamstow) | 25.66 | 6-4 |
| 2007 | Westmead Prince | Droopys Kewell – Mega Delight | Nick Savva (Henlow) | 25.29 | 4-5f |
| 2008 | Me Buddy | Ballymac Maeve – Ballymac Peg | Matt Dartnall (Reading) | 25.81 | 2-1f |
| 2009 | Barnfield Rocky | Hades Rocket – Ballymac Floss | Sam Poots (Private) | 25.31 | 7-2 |
| 2010 | Total Reality | Crash – Noirs Magic | John Simpson (Wimbledon) | 25.50 | 5-1 |
| 2011 | Monleek Sloopy | Brett Lee – Razldazl Pearl | David Pruhs (Peterborough) | 25.44 | 11-2 |
| 2016 | Holdem Rio | Crash - Cornamaddy Maid | Heather Dimmock (Peterborough) | 26.24 | 7-2 |

(1992-2011 420 metres), (2016 435 metres), (1999 & 2012–2015, 2017-18 not Run)

## Track records

Current

| Distance metres | Greyhound | Time | Date | Notes |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 235 | Rotar Wing | 13.95 | 09 Oct 2010 | |
| 250 | Kooga Kafka | 14.80 | 31 May 2019 | |
| 420 | Mountjoy Rock | 24.88 | 06 Aug 2011 | Peterborough Derby final |
| 435 | Kooga Klammer | 25.68 | 18 Oct 2017 | |
| 605 | Bower Surfer | 37.10 | 12 Sep 2009 | Puppy Cesarewitch final |
| 620 | Sensual | 37.79 | 23 Nov 2018 | |
| 790 | Greenacre Lin | 49.61 | 14 May 2005 | |
| 805 | Romany Rouge | 50.68 | 16 Nov 2016 | |
| 975 | Jangos Snowdrop | 63.15 | 07 Jun 2008 | |
| 420 H | I'm Henry | 25.85 | 17 May 1997 | |

Previous

| Distance metres | Greyhound | Time | Date | Notes |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 235 | Ports Delight | 14.46 | 24 Sep 1983 | |
| 235 | Small Song | 14.44 | 1989 | |
| 235 | I'm From Tallow | 14.39 | 18 Jun 1990 | |
| 235 | Mount Royal Fox | 14.31 | 19 Feb 1995 | |
| 235 | Razldazl Eddie | 14.28 | 11 Aug 2007 | |
| 235 | DisBestBoy | 14.19 | 08 Sep 2007 | |
| 235 | Rotar Wing | 14.05 | 08 Aug 2009 | |
| 235 | Rotar Wing | 13.95 | 21 Apr 2010 | |
| 250 | Monleek Town | 14.87 | 27 Feb 2013 | |
| 250 | Waspinajar | 14.85 | 17 Apr 2013 | |
| 250 | Scala Rodge | 14.85 | 14 Sep 2018 | |
| 420 | Siroco | 25.68 | 03 Mar 1984 | |
| 420 | Bali Hai Chief | | 10.1984 | Fengate Collar final |
| 420 | Town View Spring | 25.58 | 29 Apr 1986 | |
| 420 | Slippy King | 25.51 | 21 Jul 1990 | |
| 420 | Daleys Whisper | 25.51 | 12 Oct 1990 | |
| 420 | Highway Leader | 25.15 | 30 Jul 1994 | |
| 420 | Westmead Logan | 25.15 | 24 Apr 2009 | |
| 420 | Little Sensation | 25.05 | 28 Jul 2010 | Peterborough Derby Heats |
| 420 | Fancy Socks | 25.02 | 23 Apr 2011 | Peterborough Derby semi-final |
| 435 | Frisby Barney | 25.99 | 27 Mar 2013 | |
| 435 | Ramodi | 25.97 | 17 Apr 2013 | |
| 435 | Bay City Impact | 25.95 | 22 May 2013 | |
| 435 | Frisby Barney | 25.69 | 03 Aug 2013 | Peterborough Derby Final |
| 605 | Decoy Lassie | 37.71 | 04 Apr 1985 | |
| 605 | My Boy Mac | 37.51 | 17 Mar 1990 | |
| 605 | Simply Free | 37.24 | 12 Sep 1994 | |
| 605 | Glencoes Tom | 37.11 | 09 Apr 2002 | |
| 620 | Ballymac Eliza | 38.03 | 28 Oct 2017 | |
| 790 | Aidans Choice | 50.32 | 27 Sep 1983 | |
| 790 | Gold Sash | 50.24 | 04 Sep 1989 | |
| 790 | Poor Sue | 50.21 | 26 Jun 1991 | |
| 790 | Poor Sue | 50.10 | 01 Jul 1991 | |
| 790 | Fortunate Man | 49.66 | 15 Jun 1992 | |
| 805 | Rearguard Bond | 51.36 | 01 Nov 2014 | |
| 975 | Red Boss | 64.08 | 19 Oct 1987 | |
| 975 | Lenas Cadet | 63.30 | 19 Nov 1988 | |
| 420 H | Gis A Smile | 25.90 | 27 Jun 1994 | |
